Former Aylesbury Grammar School boy caught up in devastating Fiji hurricane while on gap year

Hayley O’Keeffe

A former Aylesbury Grammar School boy has been caught up in the Fijian hurricane.

George Burke, aged 19, has been working as a volunteer on the island of Koro as part of a gap year experience.

He has been taken to the island to teach youngsters geography and sport as part of expedition run by Think Pacific. But disaster struck on Saturday, when Hurricane Winston diverted in the direction of the island, which was only expecting strong winds.

The locals, and volunteers had to run for their lives as the hurricane razed their village to the ground.

They also had to fend off water from a tsunami which was caused by the winds.

George who has no medical training, also offered support to injured locals, at one stage being handed a bleeding baby.